The Physics Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), located in Cambridge, MA, invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Astrophysics. While this search is unrestricted with respect to area of specialization, we particularly encourage applications from candidates with interests in astrophysics theory, time domain and multi-messenger astrophysics, and optical/IR instrumentation. Current astrophysics faculty are active in broad areas of observational and theoretical astrophysics, with a specific focus on exoplanets, compact objects / strong gravity, and the formation and evolution of stars and galaxies. MIT hosts the Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research (https://space.mit.edu), whose faculty and research staff help to build and operate observatories and experiments spanning the electromagnetic and gravitational wave spectrum. These include the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), the 6.5m Magellan telescopes, the Wide-Field Infrared Transient Explorer (WINTER), the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA), the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME), the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), as well as an in-house high-performance computing cluster.

Faculty members at MIT conduct research, teach undergraduate and graduate astrophysics and physics courses and supervise graduate and undergraduate student participation in research. A Ph.D. in physics or a physics-related discipline is required by the start of employment. Preference will be given to appointments at the Assistant Professor level.

We seek candidates who have both the potential for, and strong commitment to, innovation and leadership in research, teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and who share the Principles of our Community (https://physics.mit.edu/about-physics/community-values/). A complete application includes a curriculum vitae, a publication list that separates major author contributions from papers with minor contributions, a 2- to 3-page statement on research, a 1 page statement on teaching, mentoring, advising, service and/or activities promoting an inclusive work environment, and a 1 page statement describing how the candidate’s research interests and facility/computing usage (as applicable) align with the astrophysics division’s current research portfolio, and 3 letters of recommendation. The submission deadline is December 9, 2024. Enquiries should be directed to Prof. Michael McDonald, Search Committee Chair, mcdonald@space.mit.edu.

MIT is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin. MIT’s full policy on Nondiscrimination can be found here. Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check, including verifying any finding of misconduct (or pending investigation) from prior employers. 

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